February 2009

February 23, 2009

North-end residents are appealing to council not to pick the west harbour as the preferred site. They point out the city held extensive consultation with the community to decide that the Tiffany Block would be residential. To change that now and build a stadium would betray that public process, they argue.

Councillor Bratina urged residents to consider all parts of the bid. He also noted the west harbour site isn't "nailed in stone" and could be changed in the future. A resident quipped than council shouldn't pass it as the preferred site.

Ticat president Paul Scott Mitchell (thanks for catching my error) just told council the team is willing to work with the city if they want to keep Ivor Wynne, but he noted he thinks any CFL team would be challenged to operate in the aging stadium. He said the stadium hurts revenue streams because there's not a lot of room for advertising and the concessions are cramped.

He added he thinks there would be overwhelming support from fans beside the new venue.

Merulla questioned why the team can't nail down its contribution to the stadium, instead of just saying "million to tens of millions" Mitchell said they want to do a business case and plan to have a firm figure in six to eight months.

Hamilton's Roundtable for Poverty Reduction is also endorsing the Games plan. Member Tom Cooper said the group wants to ensure there is a social inclusion policy that engages low income residents. They want the Games to be accessible, affordable and provide volunteer opportunities.

Cooper added the roundtable wants local residents to have access to jobs that pay fair wages.

Councillor Tom Jackson questioned how Cooper feels about all the critics who say this money would be better spent fighting poverty. Cooper said he thinks the city can do both. "By building a strong community we can do the things we need to do to reduce poverty."

Cooper said that he believes boosting the economy will help all of the city's residents. The current situation is bleak, he noted. "Something bold needs to be done."

The Downtown BIA endorses the city joining the bid, but they are urging the city to reconsider the preferred location. Kathy Drewitt, the BIA's head, said the stadium must be located downtown.

Here's why staff rejected it:

Downtown Core
Size – the stadium is a very tight fit and several main streets would need to be re-configured
or closed. A minimum of 5 city blocks are required just for the stadium and warm-up track.
Additional lands likely needed for other staging areas. No or limited parking could be
provided.

Land Use Compatibility – the surrounding area contains mixed downtown urban land uses
which can more readily absorb impacts from noise, traffic or lighting but further study and
mitigation would be needed.

Consistency with Municipal Planning Policy – Downtown locations are envisioned for a
broad mix of urban land uses and a stadium is not necessarily incompatible. Loss of planned
residential and employment uses as promoted by the PPS and Places to Grow most
problematic and stadium would result in huge change in how the east side of downtown is
planned to develop for mixed residential, commercial and open space uses in accordance with he approved Downtown Secondary Plan. However, existing zoning would likely permit the
stadium.
Legacy to the City of Hamilton and Symbolic Value – this location has good legacy
potential due to its focus on downtown renewal and would redevelop underutilized properties.
Exposure of downtown Hamilton to national media is a benefit.

Clustering Potential – Copps Coliseum is located nearby as are other community facilities.
West harbour recreational area is located in generally close proximity. Vacant parcels for a
velodrome or other new facilities nearby would be limited although West Harbour (Barton-
Tiffany) could be utilized.

Regeneration Impact – Great opportunity to revitalize the surrounding area and accelerate
overall downtown renewal. Spin-offs at downtown business are positive but loss of planned
residential, commercial, and open space uses may actually negate many of the perceived
regeneration impacts.

Servicing – Much external servicing improvements and relocation of existing services would
be required, especially due to number of impacts to existing roads. But generally servicing is
available for the development although a planned pumping station must be either incorporated
into the development or relocated to an alternative downtown location.

Accessibility – high degree of accessibility, including future Light Rapid Transit service in this
area; shared parking opportunities exist with downtown parking facilities.

Private Financing Potential – future event management potential is high and private or public
partnerships a possibility.

Risk and Complexity – high complexity and extreme risk due to site assembly complexities,
particularly due to the nature of certain buildings required to be acquired. Required road
closures and remediation adds additional complexity.

Overall feasibility – Site is not feasible due to its small size that would not accommodate a
required footprint. Requirement to acquire certain predominant buildings on the main stadium
footprint would make the site essentially unfeasible due to cost and likely impossibility of
meeting time frame for issues to be resolved in time for 2015 Pan Am Games.

The Chamber of Commerce supports the city joining the bid. President Tyler MacLeod said the Games would bring Hamilton more facilities and investments than it could ever afford of its own. He also believes the event will bring international attention to the city and attract new residents, which means new taxes and hopefully new jobs.

Councillor Margaret McCarthy is asking whether or not the city has properly studied if the large sporting events have truly benefited other cities. She believes many cities regret the investment in hindsight.

However, stadium expert Bob Johnston said he believes cities have been pleased with the legacies they have created. He said it's important to plan the facilities to be appropriate for the community.

Adames just confirmed the airport will stay on the table as a possible site if the preferred location in the west harbour ran into problems. It's a brownfield site and the city will have to buy from multiple owners to secure the 30 acre plot.

Nicole Macintyre

Nicole MacIntyre is the queen of kings. A married mother of two boys, including the world's former worst sleeper, she's also a reporter and parenting columnist at the Hamilton Spectator. A devotee of the 'whatever works' approach to child-rearing, Nicole has learned to never say "I'll never" when it comes to parenting.